[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 215 (Thursday, November 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65923-65924]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26394]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Fremont-Winema National Forests, Chemult and Silver Lake Ranger
Districts; Oregon; Antelope Grazing Allotments AMP Analysis
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Fremont-Winema National Forest is preparing an
environmental impact statement (EIS) to document the analysis of
grazing management within all or portions of three allotments on the
Fremont-Winema National Forests. This project, initially documented
with an environmental assessment, has had one scoping period (11/2010)
and two comment periods (11/2012 and 04/2014). The allotments are the
Antelope Cattle & Horse Allotment on the Chemult Ranger District (RD),
the Antelope Grazing Allotment on the Silver Lake RD, and a portion of
the Jack Creek Sheep and Goat Allotment also on the Chemult RD. The
proposed action would reauthorize term grazing permit and a term
private land permit to graze cattle for an appropriate season of use
(May 15-September 30) within the approximately 169,599 acre project
area using an adaptive management strategy, modification of allotment
boundaries, and a change in the number of total allotments and
pastures. Associated activities would include fence construction,
reconstruction, and removal; and spring protection/development and
water infrastructure improvements.
DATES: The draft environmental impact statement is expected November
2014 and the final environmental impact statement is expected February
2015.
ADDRESSES: Documents related to this project can be viewed at the
Fremont-Winema National Forests Supervisor Office, 1301 South G Street,
Lakeview, Oregon 97640.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lucas Phillips, Forest Range Program
Lead, at 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, Oregon 97630; or phone at 541-
947-6251.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Project Analysis Background
The Antelope Grazing Allotment Project was first presented to the
public in 2010. Analysis of the project area began that year and an
environmental assessment was released in 2012. A decision notice,
signed February 11, 2013, was withdrawn for administrative reasons.
Another environmental assessment was completed and publicized December
21, 2013. After review of comments and objections received, the Forest
Supervisor decided the analysis would be better documented in an
environmental impact statement than using an environmental assessment.
Purpose and Need for Action
This project is being analyzed to determine whether or not the
Forest Service should reauthorize livestock grazing, and if so, the
appropriate level to reauthorize within the Antelope Grazing Allotments
project area. There are needs to update Allotment Management Plans to
incorporate best available science that applies to the landscape within
these allotments; refine allotment management strategies, systems, and
boundaries to better distribute livestock and forage utilization across
the allotment, consistent with Forest Plan standards; ensure compliance
with the Rescission Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-19, Section 504) that
requires the Forest Service to establish and adhere to a schedule for
completion of NEPA analyses and decisions on all grazing allotments;
meet Congressional intent to allow grazing on suitable lands as
identified in the Forest Plans and where consistent with other multiple
use goals and objectives; and, contribute to the economic and social
well-being of the area by providing opportunities for economic
diversity and promoting
[[Page 65924]]
stability for communities dependent on range resources.
Proposed Action
The Proposed Action was developed to provide grazing opportunities
that meet multiple use objectives while reducing the impacts to
important botanical and wildlife resource. One herd, a total of 494
cow/calf pairs per month, which includes the 75 cow/calf pair being
grazed on private lands, would be authorized to graze from May 20 to
October 15. Grazing would be allowed in some fenced riparian areas,
additional acreage identified in the Jack Creek Sheep and Goat
Allotment, and grazing of the private parcels along Jack Creek known as
Upper Jamison, and Lower Jamison under a term private land grazing
permit. This would facilitate coordinated management of Oregon spotted
frog habitat across ownerships. The North Sheep Pasture would be added
to the Antelope Grazing Allotment. The grazing system in the Chemult
pasture would be a deferred rotation system made possible by allowing
use of additional acreage in some of the existing fenced riparian areas
and the North Sheep Pasture.
Possible Alternatives
In addition to the proposed action, the project interdisciplinary
team will analyze the effects of:
No Action Alternative (Alternative 1): No livestock grazing would
be authorized within the existing Allotments nor would coordinated
management of grazing on private lands within the Antelope Allotments
occur. Continuance or establishment of grazing on all private lands
within the Antelope Allotments, including lands within Oregon spotted
frog habitat, would be at stockings, rate, timings, and utilizations of
the private landowners' choosing. Cattle would be removed from all
allotments within two years.
Current Management Alternative (Alternative 2): Permits would be
reauthorized as have been over the last three to five years; two herds
at 419 cow/calf pair per month with permitted grazing from May 15 to
September 30. The Antelope and Antelope Cattle & Horse Allotments would
remain two separate administrative allotments and retain their existing
boundaries. Approximately 3.6 miles of fence would be constructed to
reinforce the Chemult Pasture boundary at the northeast corner.
Alternative 4: This alternative was developed to provide grazing
opportunities while addressing concerns relating to the protection of
important botanical and wildlife resources in the Chemult RD. The
Chemult portion of the allotments would be administratively closed to
grazing, grazing would not expand into the North Sheep Pasture, and
fencing would be constructed along active allotment boundaries. New
exclosure/protection fences would be constructed around sensitive
springs and fens on the Silver Lake side of the allotments. Grazing
would be permitted for one herd at 419 cow/calf pair per month from May
20 to July 30 without using the Chemult RD portion of the allotments.
Alternative 5: This incorporates concepts that may result in better
success in allotment management and livestock needs. A two herd grazing
system on the Chemult District would be used with a deferred rotation
pattern involving three of the pastures. Two of these pastures would
have a one-year rest during the three-year cycle. The North Sheep
Pasture would be added to the Antelope Grazing Allotment. The two-herd
system would incorporate the 75 cow/calf pair currently grazed on the
private lands withing Jack Creek as part of a term/private permit.
Private inholdings along Jack Creek would be brought under allotment
management throught a term private permit to enable coordinated
management of Oregon spotted frog habitat across ownerships. New
exclosure/protection fences would be constructed around sensitive
springs and fens. The Rock Springs area would not be included in the
Tobin Cabin Allotment. The season of use in the Antelope 3 and 4
holding pastures would be extended to October 15 to facilitate movement
of livestock off the Allotments at the end of the grazing season.
Responsible Official
The responsible official will be Forest Supervisor, Fremont-Winema
National Forests, 1301 South G Street, Lakeview, OR 97630
Nature of Decision To Be Made
Given the purpose of and need for the proposal, the deciding
official will review the proposed action, the other alternatives, and
the environmental consequences to make the following decisions:
Whether or not to authorize livestock grazing on the
identified allotments and if so, the appropriate level and grazing
system to use.
If an action alternative is selected, that it is
consistent with the Fremont and Winema Land and Resource Management
Plans, as amended.
Preliminary Issues
Preliminary issues identified include:
Grazing within meadows and riparian areas, including fens
Grazing within occupied and potential habitat for Oregon
spotted frog
Proposed grazing strategies including animal unit months,
rotations, and number of herds
Overutilization, underutilization, and uneven distribution
of utilization of forage that may be addressed by inclusion of acquired
lands, fenced meadows, and adjacent unused grazing lands as part of the
grazing strategy
Proposed fencing strategies including construction,
reconstruction, and fences to maintain or remove
Expansion of the allotment boundaries, specifically at
Cannon Well and the addition of the North Sheep Pasture.
Dated: October 28, 2014.
Constance Cummins,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2014-26394 Filed 11-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P